
Myth of the underworld
The myth of the underworld refers to ancient beliefs about a hidden, shadowy realm where souls go after death. It often serves as a space for the dead to dwell, separate from the living world. Various cultures depict it differently—some see it as a gloomy place of punishment, others as a neutral or peaceful existence. These stories explore ideas of mortality, justice, and the afterlife, reflecting how societies understand life’s end and the nature of the soul’s journey beyond death.